Long Walk to Freedom

Almost 25 years ago, I bought the album (yes, the album, not a CD) "Graceland" recorded by Paul Simon. Back then Simon's career was relatively stagnant, with his previous album, "Hearts and Bones" not having sold well. Since I was a fan of his work, I bought the album, unhearalded, sight unseen, never having heard a single song from it.

It was a vast departure from anything I'd ever heard. The closest I'd really come to hearing the music of South Africa was the Americanized versions of old folk songs.

But Graceland changed that, as I heard the music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo for the first time, on the haunting "Homeless". Then there was the triumphant appearance on Saturday Night Live, where the group too the stage with Paul Simon to perform "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes".

Wow. These guys could SING.

Over time, I gradually learned more of the group, in bits and pieces, but hadn't really heard much more of their music.

Recently, a friend sent me a copy of their 2006 release, "Long Walk to Freedom". Tonight, at 4 a.m., with no air conditioning in my home (an ongoing odyssey about which the less said, the less swear words used.), I listened to the album. (yes, I know they're called CD's now. Bleah.).

Again, wow.

The album is a musical journey from their musical beginnings, in a South Africa still suffering from the cruelty of Apartheid, through their triumphant appearance on Graceland, and moving on to more recent songs.

Unlike "Graceland", which saw the group working under co-leadership with Paul Simon, this album has Ladysmith Black Mambazo clearly in musical charge. This time around, they gather a variety of guests who have to blend their styles into the group's musical style. We're talking about people like Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris, Natalie Merchant, and Taj Mahal. Some songs--like "Diamonds" or "Homeless"--are performed in English, with others in their native language.

I can't say how profoundly the music affects me, even though I don't speak their language. Perhaps it was the late night/early morning, with the birds singing their own background in the hot night air. Perhaps it was the knowledge of what the group has gone through--some of it truly harrowing--on their long journey, which they are still making.

Or perhaps, it's that these guys can still SING. Wow.

I've included this link to the official website of Ladysmith Black Mambazo so you can see and hear for yourself.

Mike